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lion

Syllabification: (li·on)
Pronunciation: /ˈlīən/

Translate lion | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of lion

noun

  • 1a large tawny-colored cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and northwestern India. The male has a flowing shaggy mane and takes little part in hunting, which is done cooperatively by the females.
    • Panthera leo, family Felidae
  • (the Lion) the zodiacal sign or constellation Leo.
  • a brave or strong person.
  • an influential or celebrated person: a literary lion
  • the lion as an emblem (e.g., of English or Scottish royalty) or as a charge in heraldry.
  • 2 (Lion) a member of a Lions Club.

Phrases

throw someone to the lions

cause someone to be in an extremely dangerous or unpleasant situation.
[with reference to the throwing of Christians to the lions in Roman times]

Derivatives

lionlike

Pronunciation: /-ˌlīk/

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French liun, from Latin leo, leon-, from Greek leōn, leont-

lion in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of lion in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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